Abstract: A passenger side airbag installation for an automotive vehicle has a passenger airbag module mounted in a vehicle compartment in front of an instrument panel. The airbag module has an airbag adapted to deploy in a rearward direction. A door formed integrally with the panel has a crease, which, when severed, allows the door to swing open and create an opening in the panel. The crease is adapted to be severed and the door swung open by the force of the airbag when the airbag deploys to permit the airbag to project through the opening. The door may be bowed forwardly by an accidental impact caused by a passenger or object within the vehicle being thrown against the door if the vehicle is stopped too suddenly. A reinforcing bar limits forward bowing to protect the crease from rupturing.

Abstract: The tiltable component in a tilt type vehicle steering column can be locked in selected positions of adjustment by an external locking mechanism that includes an elongated rod having pivot connections with the stationary and movable components of the column. A rotatable locking sleeve encircles the rod to form a rigid connection between the rod and one of the pivot connections. Meshed teeth on the rod and sleeve prevent the rod from moving in the longitudinal direction. By rotating the sleeve on the rod it is possible to shift the teeth out of mesh, such that the rod can move longitudinally to set the movable component of the steering column in a new selected position of adjustment.

Abstract: A transmission control for an engine of an automotive vehicle wherein the vehicle has a steering column assembly having a steering wheel unit pivoted to a rear end portion of a steering column for limited arcuate movement provided with a key-operated cylinder forming part of an ignition system for the engine. A gate is mounted on the steering column and has a plurality of spaced detents corresponding to the usual gearshift positions. A gearshift lever is movable relative to the gate and has a part selectively engageable in the detents. A gearshift blocker is supported on the steering column for pivotal movement to and from an operative position blocking movement of the gearshift lever away from the PARK position.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably locking the tilt steering column assembly of an automotive vehicle in an adjusted position. A rack on the steering column assembly is engaged by a pawl to lock the steering column assembly in the position selected by the driver. A bracket is provided to hold the pawl engaged with the rack and prevent it from becoming disengaged. The tilt of the steering column can be re-adjusted by moving the bracket so that the pawl can disengage the rack. A wedge is provided for retaining the bracket in its position holding the pawl engaged with the rack. The rack has an arcuate series of teeth engageable with an arcuate series of pawl teeth. The pawl teeth includes a group of intermediate teeth of full size for full engagement with the rack teeth and at each end of the group of intermediate teeth a group of truncated teeth of shorter length than the teeth of the intermediate group to enable engagement and disengagement of the pawl and rack teeth without interference or binding.

Abstract: A gear shift lever can be moved to several "Drive" positions and to a "Park" position. A retainer holds the lever in the "Park" position. An operator is provided to retract the retainer so that the lever may be shifted out of "Park". A lock prevents the retraction of the lever retainer until the brake pedal is depressed. A mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the lock retracts the lock away from its locking position when the brake pedal is depressed.

Abstract: A steering column-mounted shift control assembly includes a rotatably mounted shift lever unit, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and a spring for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward a planar gate unit having Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Second and Low detents formed thereon for selective cooperation with the spring-loaded shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position. A mechanical brake interlock system cooperates between a foot brake lever and a blocker member pivotally mounted adjacent the terminal end of the shift handle adapted to prevent pivoting of the blocker member away from the terminal end to thus prevent movement of the terminal end of the shift handle out of the Park detent position prior to depression of the commonly used brake pedal and its associated brake lever.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably locking the tilt steering column assembly of an automotive vehicle in adjusted position. A rack on the steering column assembly is engaged by a pawl to lock the steering column assembly in the position selected by the driver. A bracket is provided to hold the pawl engaged with the rack and prevent it from becoming disengaged. The tilt of the steering column can be re-adjusted by moving the bracket so that the pawl can disengage the rack. A latch is provided for latching the bracket in its position holding the pawl engaged with the rack.

Abstract: A column-mounted shift control assembly. The latter includes a rotatably mounted shift lever unit, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and resilient device for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward a planar gate unit having Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Second and Low detents formed thereon for selective cooperation with the spring-loaded shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position. A mechanical brake interlock mechanism cooperates with a blocker member pivotally mounted adjacent the terminal end of the shift handle adapted to prevent pivoting of the blocker member away from the terminal end to thus prevent movement of the terminal end of the shift handle out of the Park detent position prior to depression of the commonly used brake pedal.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably locking the tilt steering column assembly of an automotive vehicle in adjusted position. A rack on the steering column assembly is engaged by a pawl to lock the steering column assembly in the position selected by the driver. A bracket is provided to positively hold the pawl engaged with the rack and prevent it from becoming disengaged. The tilt of the steering column can only be re-adjusted by moving the bracket so that the pawl can disengage the rack.

Abstract: A support for the steering column of an automobile has capsules for dampening vibration while the automobile is in motion. A bracket on the steering column has flanges which are clamped between the capsules. The bracket flanges are frictionally held by the capsules but will break free of the frictional hold to permit collapse of the steering column in the event of a collision. The flanges and capsules are tapered so that when the driver is thrown forward against the steering wheel upon vehicle impact, the initial collapse of the steering column reduces the frictional hold to zero, thus eliminating frictional drag during further collapse of the steering column.

Abstract: A device for locking a tilt steering column in adjusted position has two clamping rings, one of which is rotated by a handle. When the handle is rotated in one direction, the clamping rings interact to lock the steering column in adjusted position. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the clamping rings release the steering column so that its position can be adjusted. A third ring is provided to releasably retain the locking rings in locked position.

Abstract: A column-mounted shift control assembly includes a gate and mounting bracket, a shift lever unit rotatably mounted on the bracket, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and resilient means for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward the bracket. The latter includes a planar gate portion having detents formed on an edge thereof for selective cooperation with the shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position. An ignition interlock mechanism cooperates with the terminal end of the shift handle to prevent its movement out of the Park detent position unless the ignition switch key is turned on, and further prevents the ignition switch from being turned back to Lock unless the terminal end is in Park position, thus preventing key extraction.

Abstract: A column-mounted shift control assembly includes an integral gate and mounting bracket, a shift lever unit rotatably mounted on the bracket, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and resilient means for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward the bracket. The latter includes a planar gate portion having detents formed on an edge thereof for selective cooperation with the shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position.

Abstract: A device for locking a tilt steering column in adjusted position has two clamping rings, one of which is rotated by a handle. When the handle is rotated in one direction, the clamping rings interact to lock the steering column in adjusted position. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the clamping rings release the steering column so that its position can be adjusted. The handle is normally positively retained in a position in which the locking device clamps the steering column, but can be moved to a position in which it unclamps the steering column upon operation of a release lever on the handle.

Abstract: A tilt assist for a tiltable steering column of an automotive vehicle is provided and includes a double torsion spring having spaced coils mounted on opposite sides of the steering column. A U-shaped wire element connected to the two coils bears against the steering column and urges it in an upward direction. Spacers are disposed within the coils to prevent twisting and distortion.